Sunday, October 5, 2008
Yost Ice Arena, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Whether it was the Sunday game or a perceived weaker opponent, the Wolverines had to work a bit harder than the probably expected to in their game against Waterloo, but in the end it was the Wolverines who skated away with a three to one victory to sweep their weekend of exhibition games.

Michigan got on the board with just over fifteen minutes to play in this game to get out to an early lead. Pateryn got off a shot from the top of the right circle which was blocked, but the rebound was not covered. Hagelin was right on the edge of the crease and was able to get control of the puck, swing around the goalie, and stuff it into the corner of the net for the score. Hagelin got the score, while Pateryn and Langlais each picked up assists.

With less than four minutes left to play in the opening period Waterloo was whistled for a penalty putting Michigan on the power play. With just over two minutes to play in the period Michigan would take a two goal lead off a goal by Caporusso. Vaughan carried the puck out of the Michigan zone, getting it to Hagelin at center ice. Hagelin quickly pushed the puck to Caparusso who skated through and around the Waterloo defenders before getting off a shot that clanged off the right post. Caparusso was able to get to his own rebound and finish off the score for the two goal Wolverine lead. Caparusso got credit for the power play goal, while Hagelin and Vaughan each picked up assists.

The first period would come to an end with Michigan holding a two to nothing lead. The Wolverines also held a twelve to eight advantage in shots on goal.

Michigan had some chances in the second period, including a five minute power play, to really put the game away, but in the end neither team would score during the middle period to leave the score two to zero in favor of Michigan. Michigan out shot Waterloo eight to three in the period to hold a twenty to eleven advantage in shots on goal through sixty minutes of play.

With the clock just past the fifteen minute mark of the final period Waterloo was able to cut the Michigan lead to one goal. A Waterloo player was stationed right next to the goal and before the Michigan defense could clear him out one of his team mates slid the puck to him and he slid it past Hogan for the score.

Michigan quickly answered, scoring their second power play goal of the game barely two minutes later. Summers carried the behind the net, getting out front to Palushaj who was sitting right at the goal line. Palushaj got off a quick pass in front of the net to Kampfer who was at the other corner of the goal. As soon as the puck got to Kampfer he pounded it past the Waterloo goalie for the score. Kampfer got credit for the power play goal, while Palushaj and Summers picked up assists.

The game would come to an end with the Wolverines winning holding a three to one lead. Michigan out shot Waterloo eleven to six in the final period to end the game with a thirty-one to seventeen advantage in shots on goal.

The Wolverines probably didn't learn a whole lot this weekend, but they got a couple of games in to get them ready for the upcoming season. Pretty much every player got to play this weekend on one of the nights. If there was one thing they learned they seem to have two very capable goal tenders and we'll likely see them trading nights for the next few weeks. Whether one of them becomes the clear starter over the other still remains to be seen. Next weekend the Wolverines begin their quest to return to the Frozen Four when they welcome St. Lawrence to Yost Arena for a pair of games. The games next weekend will most likely be a battle between polar opposites. St. Lawrence likes to play a physical style of hockey that doesn't necessarily lead to a lot of goals, while Michigan would rather use speed and skill to create scoring opportunities through the transition game. It should be an interesting first week of the season.